(BLOOMINGTON) - The City of Bloomington Sanitation Department will begin the 2014 residential leaf collection for bagged leaves today, and continue collection through Thursday, Dec. 18.

Curbside vacuuming also will begin today and end on Friday, Dec. 19

Despite City Hall offices being closed on Election Day, Tuesday, and for Veteran's Day Sanitation will continue their services and items to be collected must be at the curb by 5 a.m.

Leaves bagged in biodegradable or paper bags will be collected the same day as recycling in residential neighborhoods and should be placed at the curb by 5 a.m. on collection day. Bagged leaves do not require a yard waste sticker and must weigh 40 pounds or less. Leaf bags may be purchased through many local retailers, such as hardware stores. Leaves in plastic bags will not be collected. All other yard waste, including sticks, brush and limbs, must be separated from leaves and tagged as usual.

As in years past, the City will vacuum leaves that are on residential curbs starting on Tuesday. Other waste cannot be vacuumed and should not be on the curb for pick up. In order for leaves to be picked up, they must be as close to the curb as possible, out of the roadway and not placed around fire hydrants.

The leaf collection schedule will be adjusted for inclement weather.

The Sanitation Department would like to remind residents that composting or mulching leaves is the greenest way to both reduce waste and create useful fertilizer. Composting is natural, easy, requires almost no maintenance and can be done in any number of ways. More information on composting can be found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website at http://www.epa.gov/composting/.

For the full schedule and other information regarding collection, visit https://bloomington.in.gov/leaves. For more information regarding leaf bag procedures, please contact City Sanitation Director Shelby Walker or Office Manager Rhea Carter at 349.3443.